Shep and Ian Murray: Vineyard Vines. A Stale Product Transforms into a Lifestyle Brand.
How I Built This with Guy Raz
- Published
- April 27, 2026
- Duration
- 1h 8m
- Summary source
- description
- Last updated
- Apr 28, 2026
Discusses In the late 1990s, Shep and Ian Murray looked at a shrinking category–men’s ties–and saw an opportun…
Summary
In the late 1990s, Shep and Ian Murray looked at a shrinking category–men’s ties–and saw an opportunity: a necktie isn’t just functional. It’s expressive. It can signal identity, taste, aspiration. With no fashion experience and no outside investors, the Murray brothers started making colorful ties inspired by their childhoods in Martha’s Vineyard — tiny …
Show notes
In the late 1990s, Shep and Ian Murray looked at a shrinking category–men’s ties–and saw an opportunity: a necktie isn’t just functional. It’s expressive. It can signal identity, taste, aspiration. With no fashion experience and no outside investors, the Murray brothers started making colorful ties inspired by their childhoods in Martha’s Vineyard — tiny whales, sailboats, island street signs. What began as a small, improbable tie business grew into Vineyard Vines: a half-billion-dollar lifestyl